New restrictions could axe controversial wind energy project off resort’s coast
An offshore wind farm off Ocean City’s coast could be in mortal peril, thanks to a provision in a Congressional budget bill that revokes federal subsidies for green energy projects not completed in the next 18 months.
The Senate version of Congress’s fiscal 2026 budget reconciliation bill, a.k.a. the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, passed Tuesday. It rolls back energies subsidies as granted in the Inflation Reduction Act. The restriction applies to wind and solar facilities that aren’t placed in-service by December 31, 2027.
Now, to take effect, the House of Representatives version of the budget bill would have to include this provision. President Donald Trump has said he wanted to see the bill passed and ready for his signature by Friday, July 4.
The end-date provision now jeopardizes the future of a proposed 114-turbine wind farm located about 11 miles off the coast of Ocean City.
Developer US Wind has met all stages of state and federal approval after a years-long effort. The company has stated in interview that it’s already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the project, which hasn’t yet begun construction. US Wind did not respond to a request for comment.
Notably, while the Senate’s bill does require wind and solar projects to be “placed in service” by the end of 2027, it also guts the benefit by including a last-minute carveout for projects that “begin construction” a year after enactment, according to Anna Adamian, a spokeswoman for Congressman Andy Harris, who represents Ocean City.
“This may create a race to do the minimum 5% construction spending to lock in subsidies well past 2027,” she said in an email.
your corrupt legislators in annapolis are responsible for this boondoggle which will bankrupt rate payers in maryland, all while those corrupt legislators and exelon lobbyists laugh all the way to the bank!
why do all those corrupt maryland leeches in annapolis allow this? they are f’g all of us while lining their own pockets!
If you operate a monopoly you should not be allowed to lobby lawmakers!